Scripture says;
Rom12:13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality
Titus 1:8 (be) hospitable, a lover of good,self controlled, upright,holy and disciplined
1 Peter 4:9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling
There are of course a myriad of other verses which speak to elders and overseers specifically. In a nutshell, if you fill one of these offices and are not 'given to hospitality' then scripture says that you are unqualified for your position! Gulp!
Why do we find it difficult to show hospitality? Some of us are hiding our true identity in not having others over to our home~but for the most part, I think it is less sinister than that! If you are like I have been in the past; you are waiting for your~home to be in order, or for extra money so you can provide a nice meal, or perhaps you are waiting for others to invite you over first!! Scrap all of those reasons! I have adopted a new phrase and my son is going to burn it into a piece of wood for me, this is it"
Please excuse the mess; my children are making memories. Isnt that a wonderful phrase? When the Lord commands us to be hospitable, he did not say to wait until you think things are perfect. Why should things be perfect? We arent perfect people! Neither are the folks that we are inviting into our home!
May the Lord give you grace to fulfill His command of being hospitable! Do share some ways in which you have exercised the gift of hospitality in your life. It is more than just having folks over for dinner:)
PS A good place to stash the laundry when folks come over is in the bathtub with the shower curtain drawn! LOL!
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